International

Lyre wins Randwick trial and firms in Slipper market

Godolphins's near strangle hold on the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) market took another step on Thursday after the Anthony Freedman trained Lyre under Luke Currie won a 1050m trial at Randwick on Thursday morning.

The Lonhro filly, the winner of the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield on February 23rd, firmed from $11.00 into $9.00 with TAB.com.au after the 2L win over Deep Field with Josh Parr, with a further 2 1/4L back to Maisaa and Tommy Berry. The time on the Soft 7 track was 1.05.90 with the final 600m in 36.20.

Chris Waller's Todman Stakes winner Yes Yes Yes leads the Slipper market at $5.00 followed by the Godolphion trio of Tenley at $6.00, Microphone at $7.00 and Lyre. Exhilarates is at $13.00 and Pin Sec $15.00 and the not-nominated Athiri at $26.00. The latter races in the Group 3 Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday and a win will guarantee a place in the Slipper field with the stable then having to weight up paying a late nomination for the filly, another by Lonhro, into the Slipper.